Bag storage rack

ABSTRACT

A bag storage rack is disclosed. In an example, there are slots formed between a plurality of flexible splines supported by an integral header structure.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/322,899 filed Apr. 15, 2016 titled “Bag Storage Rack” of Mark Bickford, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

There are a large variety of storage devices available today, from drawers to shelves. However, storing small components (e.g., screws, nails, etc.) in a large drawer can result in the components becoming mixed and/or lost in the drawer. This can make it hard to find individual components. Often, these components need to be separated into jars or canisters within the drawer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an example bag storage rack.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 5 is a right-side view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 6 is a left-side view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the example bag storage rack.

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIGS. 11A-C are partial perspective views of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack, illustrating different configuration openings in a face of the bag storage rack.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bag storage rack is disclosed. In an example, the bag storage rack is configured as a plastic bag holder/shelf. The example bag storage rack includes slots to receive bags (e.g., plastic bags) for containing small components. In an example, the bags may be “zipper-top” storage bags. However, any suitable type of bag made of any suitable material may be used with the bag storage device.

In an example, the bag storage rack is manufactured of a thin, laser cut plastic. By itself, this plastic is generally too flexible to support the weight of the bags (particularly when the bags contain items which increase the weight hanging from the bag storage rack). As such, the bag storage rack has a header defining a support structure which interconnects each of a plurality of splines formed between a plurality of front-end openings or slots and corresponding horizontal channels. The bag storage rack may be made of any suitable material (e.g., sheet metal, solid, etc.) and take any desired form.

Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the bag storage rack 10 for hanging a storage bag 1. The example bag storage rack 10 may include a substantially rectangular shaped hollow housing 12. A plurality of front-end openings or slots 14 are formed in the lower portion 16 of the housing 12. The plurality of slots 14 may be configured to receive one or more bag 1 for containing small components. The bag 1 may be a plastic zipper bag or any other suitable bag.

Also in an example, the bag storage rack 10 may be configured as a shelf. In FIG. 1, the bag storage rack 10 is shown configured as a shelf with a tape roll 2 placed on the top surface 18 of the housing 12 forming the shelf. Of course, the shelf may be configured to hold any suitable size and weight object(s). Still other configurations of one or more shelf may also be provided, as will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

In addition, the bag storage rack 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as it may be configured with an electrical outlet 4 mounted to the top surface. Other accessories may also be provided with the bag storage rack 10, as will be readily understood by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the bag storage rack 10. A broken line is shown to indicate that the bag storage rack 10 may be any desired length and have any desired number of slots 14 for storage bags 1. In FIG. 2, the slots 14 are visible in the example bag storage rack 10. Each of the slots 10 are formed in a lower portion 16 of the housing 12, interconnected by the header 13 forming a support structure for the splines (see, e.g., spline 11 in FIG. 2 formed between adjacent slots 14 and corresponding horizontal channels 28), and are configured to receive a bag 1 (FIG. 1) for containing small components.

In an example, the slots 14 each have a vertical opening 20 formed in a front face 22 of the housing 12. The vertical opening 20 is shaped to receive a zipper (or “gripper”) portion of the bag. As shown, a bottom 24 of the vertical opening 20 is larger, and a top 26 of the vertical opening 20 is smaller. For example, the vertical opening 20 may be substantially triangular or upside-down-V shaped.

The slots 14 may be substantially parallel to one another (e.g., as shown in FIG. 2). In another example, the horizontal channel 28 of each of the slots 14 may be angled relative to one another (not shown).

In an example, both the opening 20 and the horizontal channel 28 of the slots 14, are sized wide enough to enable the bag 1 to move into and out of the slot 14 (e.g., with minimal frictional engagement). When the bag 1 is released, it hangs in the horizontal channel 28. In an example, the channel 28 is also tight enough to hold the bag 1 so that the bag 1 is suspended from the slot 14 when hanging in the horizontal channel. That is, the open spacing of the channel 28 is spaced apart at a distance that allows the bag 1 to slide into the channel 28, and then rest on the zipper or gripper portion on the bag such that the zipper or gripper portion of the bag 1 is wider than the opening of the channel 28 and thus holds the bag in the channel 28 so that the bag 1 does not fall out from the horizontal channel 28.

The configuration of the slots 14 enables the bags 1 to readily slide into and out of the slot 14, while hanging in the channel 28 of the slot 14 while being retained only by the zipper or gripper portion of the bag 1 (without need for any additional support), even under load (e.g., when the bag contains items or is otherwise weighed down).

The slot is wide enough to enable the bag to hang therebetween, yet close enough together to hold the gripper portion of the bag so that the bag is suspended from the slot.

FIGS. 3-8 illustrate components of a support structure 32 of the bag storage rack 10. FIG. 3 is a back view of the example bag storage rack 10. FIG. 4 is a front view of the example bag storage rack 10. FIG. 5 is a right-side view of the example bag storage rack 10. FIG. 6 is a left-side view of the example bag storage rack 10. FIG. 7 is a top view of the example bag storage rack 10. FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the example bag storage rack 10.

An example support structure has a vertical surface or back face 23 (see, e.g., FIGS. 3 and 5-6) to attach the bag storage rack 10 to a wall or other surface. In an example, the back face 23 may include pre-drilled holes for screwing the bag storage rack 10 into the wall. Other attachment mechanisms (e.g., adhesive) may also be provided.

The example support structure also has a first vertical surface or front face 22 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4-6). The front face 22 is configured to interconnect each of a plurality of splines 34 a-b with a front supporting header (e.g., header 13 in FIG. 4). The header 13 may be any suitable size and/or shape, but generally is configured to interconnect the splines. For example, spline 34 a is formed between slots 14 a-b (and corresponding horizontal channels), and spline 34 b is formed between slots 14 b-c (and corresponding horizontal channels).

The example support structure also has a top horizontal surface 18 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5-7). The top surface 18 may be configured as a shelf, and/or configured with any suitable accessories (e.g., electric outlet 4 shown in FIG. 1).

The example support structure also has a bottom horizontal surface 30 (see, e.g., FIGS. 5-6 and 8). The bottom horizontal surface 30 may be configured to interconnect each of a plurality of splines formed between adjacent slots. For example, spline 34 a′ is formed between slots 14 a-b, and spline 34 b′ is formed between slots 14 b-c.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 100. The example bag storage rack 100 may be molded from a single sheet, which appears “folded” to add structural integrity. The top portion of the fold provides a shelf, similar to that discussed above for FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 200. The example bag storage rack 200 is similar in construction to the example bag storage rack 100 shown in FIG. 9, but without a shelf. An upper fold portion above the face provides structural integrity. In an example, another bag storage rack may be mounted directly above or below the example bag storage rack 200. This example maximizes space efficiency.

FIGS. 11A-C are perspective views of another example bag storage rack 300 a-c. The example bag storage racks 300 a-c show a header that “tie” the slots together to provide structural integrity.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 400. The example bag storage rack 400 shows separate mounting surfaces (e.g., upper and lower flanges) for attaching to a wall, which also provides a shelf, similar to that discussed above for FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 500. The example bag storage rack 500 includes a vertical angle wall mount, where the bag opening is left and right (e.g., for “pass through”). The angle provides a view of the bottom of the bag for content recognition (e.g., seeing what is contained in the bags). A “left-only” opening and/or a “right-only” opening may also be provided that may be mounted side to side, to provide sufficient access when two or more are mounted on the wall together. Again, a vertical face is shown and the plurality of slots are tied together forming the front supporting header.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 600. The example bag storage rack 600 includes a horizontal mounting surface, e.g., for mounting under a cabinet, shelf, ceiling, or other horizontal surface.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 700. The example bag storage rack 700 is similar in construction to the example bag storage rack 600 shown in FIG. 14, but is configured with openings in both the front face and back face to enable a “pass-through” for the bags (e.g., bags can be inserted and/or removed from either side or face of the example bag storage rack 700)

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 800. The example bag storage rack 800 is similar in construction to that the example bag storage rack 600 or 700, and shown mounted under a cabinet or shelf.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another example bag storage rack 900. FIG. 17 is intended to illustrate different configurations of openings in a face of the bag storage rack 900. It is understood that all of these different openings do not need to be included a single example bag storage rack 900, and may be included in any of the example bag storage racks shown and described herein and/or other embodiments. Still other configurations of the example bag storage rack are contemplated, as are other configurations of the openings, as will be readily appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art after becoming familiar with the teachings herein.

It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated. 

1. A bag storage rack comprised of a plurality of splines adjacent to one another configuring horizontal channels each having an open ended slot defining an entrance suitable to receive zip top storage bags in which the ends of the splines are supported by connection to a supporting header.
 2. The bag storage rack of claim 1, wherein the open ended slot is an enlarged entrance configured to receive and guide insertion of a zip top storage bag.
 3. The bag storage rack of claim 2, wherein the open ended slot has a vertical opening formed in the bag receiving face of the rack.
 4. The bag storage rack of claim 3, wherein the vertical opening is shaped to receive a zipper portion of the bag.
 5. The bag storage rack of claim 3, wherein the vertical opening is triangular shaped.
 6. The bag storage rack of claim 3, wherein a bottom of the vertical opening is larger and a top of the vertical opening is smaller.
 7. The bag storage rack of claim 1, wherein the horizontal channels are angled relative to the supporting header.
 8. The bag storage rack of claim 1, wherein the horizontal channels are parallel to one another.
 9. The bag storage rack of claim 1, wherein the horizontal channels are wide enough to enable the bags to move into and hang in the horizontal channels while also being tight enough to hold the bags securely in the horizontal channels.
 10. The bag storage rack of claim 1, in which the supporting header is a support system for the plurality of splines.
 11. The bag storage rack of claim 10, wherein the support structure has a first vertical surface to interconnect each of a plurality of splines formed between adjacent channels.
 12. The bag storage rack of claim 11, wherein the support structure has a second vertical surface to attach to a wall.
 13. The bag storage rack of claim 11, wherein the support structure has a horizontal surface to interconnect each of a plurality of splines formed between adjacent slots.
 14. A bag storage rack, comprising: a substantially rectangular shaped hollow housing; and at least one slot formed in a lower portion of the housing, with at least one slot having a vertical opening formed in a front face of the housing, and a horizontal channel formed in a bottom surface of the housing connected to at least one slot formed in a front or back surface of the housing.
 15. The bag storage rack of claim 14, wherein the horizontal channel is wide enough to enable the bag to move into and hang in the horizontal channel, while also being tight enough to hold the bag so that the bag is suspended from the horizontal channel when hanging in the horizontal channel.
 16. The bag storage rack of claim 14, further comprising a support structure having a first vertical surface to interconnect each of a plurality of splines formed between adjacent slots, and a second vertical surface to attach to a wall.
 17. The bag storage rack claim 14, further comprising a support structure having a bottom horizontal surface to interconnect each of a plurality of splines formed between adjacent slots, and a top horizontal surface.
 18. The bag storage rack claim of 17, wherein the top surface is configured as a shelf. 